Toorak Station – next to go?

One of our observant members spied no less than 20 besuited corporate types at Toorak Station recently. Discreet eavesdropping revealed that the group were planning their redevelopment of Toorak Station, openly weighing up which parts would go and which would stay as they took digital photos of the heritage building. How long till the station is “improved” with shops, offices and high rise apartment block? As you can see, the 590 Orrong Road sets an awful precedent. Lose this battle and we’ll lose all of the reasons we live here. Beatty Avenue will be more…Malvern Central.

This development means traffic gridlock, overflowing train stations and tram stops, no more on-street car parking, a blighted skyline and less privacy for current residents. It will also impinge on adjoining public land. It defies the lowrise local residential style.

This development will set a precedent for further development.

This is a rare opportunity for Stonnington to increase open space, develop a school or a stellar medium density residential development. We do not need another Docklands.

Already we know that Toorak Station is within developers' sites. How long before Hawksburn and Armadale are redeveloped?

Stonnington Council - after much campaigning - refused the permit but developer Lend Lease successfully overturned this decision at VCAT. This VCAT decision is in turn being appealed in the Supreme Court in April 2013.

Our opponent is smart, moneyed, experienced and well connected. We won't win this without your help.

Lend Lease has 'consulted' but never compromised. They entirely underestimated our ability to fight their plan.

Reading this is just the beginning - we need you to work with us to fight the towers.